How to Find Balance When You're Feeling Overwhelmed

Here is a two-part program for anyone carried away by worry and stress.


Part One:
Release yourself from your symptoms. When you have a surge of fear or anxiety, lie down and rest. Don't act on impulse. Slow down. Stop criticizing your husband and burdening him with your troubles. When you begin to feel self-pity, don't indulge those feelings. Turn to something else, like housework or even television. If you feel like complaining or whining, stop yourself. All these measures are like putting the brakes on a runaway car. In this case, the mind is the car, and you can't stop it with one tap of the brakes. You have to begin to gain some distance and clarity. Imbalance makes that hard, but you must try.

Part Two:
Take positive steps to regain balance. Begin with a steady routine, however much you have avoided it in the past. Go to bed at regular hours. Cook and eat meals on time. Make sure you get out of bed only after you've gotten at least seven hours of sleep. Clean the house and provide a neat, reassuring environment for yourself. To settle your mind, read books on healing, take time to walk every day, associate with calmer, more secure people. Find a confidant you can trust to give you sound advice. Stop associating with those who bring you down by making your situation seem hopeless, or whose problems only compound yours. If possible, find a close friend who has compassion and can offer you kindness.

Avoid stimulants like tobacco and alcohol. Ultimately, however, the biggest step will be to stop panicking and take seriously the understanding that your healing lies in your own hands. If you can bring yourself back into balance, the chances of finding solutions to these other problems will greatly increase.

Love,
Deepak  

Source: Oprah